South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has announced that he will not seek re-election as the party's leader in April - a move that may threaten the stability of the coalition government. The DA, South Africa's second largest party, entered into an historic coalition with its arch rival the African National Congress (ANC) in 2024 after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority.
Steenhuisen took over leadership of the pro-business DA in 2019 and currently serves as agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa's government. The 49-year-old was widely expected to run again but was reportedly forced to abandon his bid due to several controversies.
For the rest of this term of office, I will focus all of my time and energy as minister of agriculture on defeating the most devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak our country has ever seen, he told a press conference. Steenhuisen began his political career at age 22, when he was elected to the council of the port city of Durban for the Democratic Party, the DA's predecessor.
He rose through the party's local and regional leadership before assuming the leadership role two decades later. It was widely reported that he would run unopposed for the leadership at the DA's upcoming conference in April. However, various issues, including a fallout with senior DA member Dion George and allegations regarding the misuse of party funds, have contributed to his decision not to run. His handling of the current foot-and-mouth outbreak has also drawn criticism, with farmers labeling his department an obstacle during the ongoing crisis.
The country has struggled to contain the highly infectious virus, which is now widespread across most provinces and significantly impacting the livestock industry. The disease causes severe pain in animals, reducing milk yields and impacting their market value.
Steenhuisen took over leadership of the pro-business DA in 2019 and currently serves as agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa's government. The 49-year-old was widely expected to run again but was reportedly forced to abandon his bid due to several controversies.
For the rest of this term of office, I will focus all of my time and energy as minister of agriculture on defeating the most devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak our country has ever seen, he told a press conference. Steenhuisen began his political career at age 22, when he was elected to the council of the port city of Durban for the Democratic Party, the DA's predecessor.
He rose through the party's local and regional leadership before assuming the leadership role two decades later. It was widely reported that he would run unopposed for the leadership at the DA's upcoming conference in April. However, various issues, including a fallout with senior DA member Dion George and allegations regarding the misuse of party funds, have contributed to his decision not to run. His handling of the current foot-and-mouth outbreak has also drawn criticism, with farmers labeling his department an obstacle during the ongoing crisis.
The country has struggled to contain the highly infectious virus, which is now widespread across most provinces and significantly impacting the livestock industry. The disease causes severe pain in animals, reducing milk yields and impacting their market value.
